The Bellevue Police Department announced today the completion of an internal investigation. Chief Linda Pillo has terminated an officer related to a DUI traffic stop on a fellow off-duty officer last year. The termination was effective Wednesday, April 16.

"This entire incident has been difficult for everyone involved. It is unfortunate that two good people have had their careers with BPD ended over this," said Deputy Chief Jim Jolliffe. "We have a duty to the community, and the good men and women of this police department to uphold our high standards of integrity and professionalism. The department has processes in place to ensure high performance and accountability to maintain the community's trust as we focus on the excellent service our officers provide to the citizens of Bellevue every day."

The incident in question occurred on November 20, 2013, when Bellevue Police Officer Doug Brennan stopped a vehicle on Interstate 90 near Issaquah to investigate the driver for DUI. The driver of the vehicle was then off-duty Bellevue Police Officer Andrew Hanke. No arrest was made and Hanke was driven home by a family member.

Officer Brennan notified a supervisor of the incident after Hanke had left the scene. Chief Pillo was notified of the incident the following morning. Hanke was immediately placed on administrative leave. An internal and criminal investigation was ordered into Hanke's actions. The criminal investigation was referred to the prosecutor's office in December for DUI charges on Hanke. In January, Hanke resigned from the police department.

The department also investigated the actions of Officer Brennan who made the stop. While officers are allowed some discretion during a traffic stop, the officer's decisions and actions at the scene underwent a thorough and objective internal investigation. Officer Brennan was placed on administrative leave on February 4.

At the conclusion of the internal investigation, Chief Pillo found that Officer Brennan had violated the following department policies: Department Code of Ethics, Alternatives to Arrest and Confinement (5.00.120) and False Information (11.00.175).

Brennan was hired in March of 1999. He was assigned to the Traffic Unit as an accident investigator and was a member of the Bomb Squad.

The Bellevue Police Department takes all internal investigations very seriously and issues fair yet firm discipline when the actions of our officers warrant it. Details of the internal investigation, including the specific details of each policy violation, may be obtained through a public records request at the City Clerk's Office at publicrecords@bellevuewa.gov.